VR is the game changer in media today, as well as the future, for all markets, such as entertainment, mobile apps, education, medical, engineering, travel and more. At Siggraph 2017 (http://s2017.siggraph.org/), Los Angeles, CA, Assimilate(r) will be at The Studio-B&H booth 915 to demo its award-winning VR integrated workflows.

Z Cam and Assimilate have partnered to offer the only integrated VR workflow with the Z Cam S1 or S1 Pro/Scratch VR Z Bundle: from image acquisition with Z CAM's high-performance S1/S1 Pro VR cameras, and stitching with its optical-flow WonderStitch software, through to a streamlined VR post-production workflow with Assimilate's real-time Scratch(r) VR Z tools. The ultimate benefit is that content creators can now focus on their creativity and storytelling rather than wrangling the complexities of the technology. Eliminating the technical complexities of creating VR experiences and offering superior price/performance/quality value will make VR a more viable media for all content creators.

Live Streaming: Scratch VR is certified as part of the Facebook Live 360 Ready program. In a product bundle along with a Z Cam S1/S1 Pro VR camera, Scratch VR Z provides the only camera/software Facebook-certified live solution. Scratch VR Z provides advanced, real-time features like inserting/composting graphics/text overlays, including animations, and keying for elements like green screen for live streaming. For details, see https://facebook360.fb.com/live360/.

360 Post Production: Creating 360 video is also simplified because this integrated VR workflow makes it easy to switch back and forth between the S1/S1 Pro functions and the Scratch VR Z tools. Scratch VR Z can be used to do live camera preview, prior to shooting with the S1/S1 Pro. Once the shoot begins with the S1/S1 Pro, Scratch VR Z is then used for dailies and data management, including meta-data. No more removing of SD cards and copying; it's a direct connect to the PC and then to the camera via a high-speed Ethernet port. Stitching of the imagery is then done in Z Cam's WonderStitch, now integrated into Scratch VR Z, and then follow on with stabilizing, traditional editing, color grading, compositing, multichannel audio from the S1/S1 Pro, or adding external ambisonic sound, finishing, and publishing to all final online or stand-alone 360 platforms.

Kinson Loo, CEO at Z Cam, and Jeff Edson, CEO at Assimilate, agree that the ultimate benefit of this VR integrated workflow is that content creators can now focus on their creativity and storytelling rather than wrangling the complexities of the technology.

Neotopy's studio team in Paris, France includes storytellers, filmmakers, and sound engineers who specialize in immersive VR/360 cinematic experiences. Alexandre Regeffe, VR post-production manager at Neotopy has extensively used the Z Cam VR cameras and the Scratch VR Z tools. He notes, "In the future, we'll be using the Z Cam S1 / S1 Pro cameras and Assimilate Scratch VR Z to create our VR productions. This integrated workflow streamlines our VR workflow so that we can focus on storytelling rather than testing and configuring multiple, costly tools and workflows. It's this ease-of-use and affordability that will drive the growth of VR productions." www.neotopy.com

SIGGRAPH 2017 Demos: Z Cam S1/S1 Pro/Scratch VR Z Bundles

Learn how the Z CAM S1/ S1 Pro/Scratch VR Z bundles enable you to create amazing VR/360 videos and live streaming VR experiences. Get a live demo at The Studio-B&H booth, 915.

Together with Z Cam, Assimilate offers the only, end-to-end, integrated VR workflows, which includes either a Z Cam S1 or S1 Pro VR camera and the Assimilate Scratch VR Z post-production tool suite. Additionally, Assimilate provides real-time post-production and workflow tools that have proven essential to productivity and creativity in the creation of 2D/3D/VR studio and independent feature films, documentaries, TV episodes, and music videos. The Scratch product line, running on Windows and OS X, equips directors, DPs, on-set DITs and post-production artists with the latest, state-of-the-art, cost-effective tools and workflows they need to simplify the post-production process for challenging productions. Scratch is resolution independent, supporting nearly all formats, including Z CAM S1 and S1 Pro, Arri Raw, KineRaw, Sony F5/55/65 and Cyber Shot s700, Phantom, Panasonic Varicam 4K, Canon C300/C500, Canon 3DGoPro, as well as enhanced support for all RED cameras. Scratch is the only post-production tool to support native Kinefinity Raw (KRW and DNG) files. Scratch enables mixing and matching of any camera format, resolution or color space (including ACES) on the same timeline. Additionally, Assimilate offers the only professional end-to-end VR workflow and tools - including stitching, ambisonic sound, and live streaming -- in the Scratch VR product line. Learn more at www.Assimilateinc.com.

About Z Cam

Z Cam is a product line created by a team of innovative and creative people dedicated to developing high performance imaging products and solutions. The world's smallest MFT interchangeable lens mount 4K camera, Z Cam E1, was developed by the team and successfully launched in 2015. Leveraging on the complete end-to-end know how of VR and professional camera mass-production experiences, the team has successfully developed and launched its first professional VR camera, the Z Cam S1 at the end of 2016. Z Cam is well positioned to become a leader in the professional VR camera market. Learn more at www.z-cam.com.